Alternative Nutrition TherapyGinger

Lisa Nguyen, Jasmeen Banwait, Anjuli Dhillon

DFM 655

What is Ginger?

Botanical name: Zingiber officinale RoscoeFamily: ZingiberaceaePlant part used: Rhizome (root), leavesTaste: pungent

•Grows up to 60 cm high with 15 to 30cm long leaves

Brief History• Used therapeutically for the past 2500 years,

cultivation originated in South East Asia• In China, used to treat common ailments such as

headaches, nausea and colds• In Asian and Ayurvedic medicine, ginger commonly

used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic agent • Added spice or flavoring agent in meals and

beverages in China and India • Prior to the 14th century, ginger was rare and

expensive, “a spice worth its weight in gold” (Foster 2009).

Nutritional Facts

Nutritional Facts

•Gingerol, shogaols, gingerdiones, and zingerone give the plant its special aroma and flavor•Research shows that zingerone helps against E. coli induced diarrhea in children•Gingerol & shogaol suppress stomach stomach pain•Oleoresins, proteolytic enzymes, and essential oils help with the flow of food•Zingibain reduces inflammation

Studies and Health Benefits

Ginger plays a beneficial role in: Post operative nausea/vomiting

Morning sickness; nausea/vomiting during pregnancy

General inflammationUlcerative Colitis

Blood SugarBlood Pressure

Post Operative Nausea/Vomiting

“The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of post operative nausea and vomiting (2006)

• Testing treatment of ginger vs. placebo

• Treatment group received dose of 1 gram of ginger orally prior to anesthesia

• 95% effective in treatment for symptoms

Morning Sickness

• Reduces nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

• Randomized controlled trial of pregnant women received 1.05 grams of ginger and 75 mg of Vitamin B6

• Ginger was shown to have the same positive effects as Vitamin B6

“Randomized controlled trial to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy” (2004)

Anti-inflammatory Properties“Cyclooxygenase inhibitors in ginger” (2011)

• Treatment for inflammation

• Similar properties to anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• 5 gram dosage of ginger extracts shown to bind to Cyclooxygenase inhibitor

• Binding to this enzyme prevents inflammation

Ulcerative Colitis

• Ginger used in treatment of ulcerative colitis in rats

• 100, 200, and 400 mg doses per day reduced inflammation compared to acetic acid

• Improved ulcerative colitis and decreased inflammation

“Modulating effect of ginger extract on rats with ulcerative colitis” (2008)

Blood Glucose

• Administered aqueous ginger extract intraperitoneally (500 mg/kg daily) to diabetic rats for 7 weeks

• 52% blood glucose reduction compared to diabetic control rats that were not administered ginger extract

• Ginger root has been used to treat chronic high blood sugar years before the invention of insulin in the 1920s.

“Anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic properties of ginger (zingiber officinale) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats” (2006)

Blood Pressure

• Rats first injected with sodium thiopental (anesthetic), then administered .1 mL saline solution (to increase blood pressure)

• .3-3 mg/kg of ginger extract administered to adult anesthetized rats intravenously

• Researchers found that ginger acted as a vasodilator by blocking calcium voltage dependent channels, thus significantly lowering blood pressure

“Ginger lowers blood pressure through blockage of voltage dependent calcium channels” (2004)

Doses•Capsule form: lowest dose 250 mg• Clinical trial doses of 500 mg and 940 mg

•Important to take at least 30 minutes before departure•Repeat every 4 hours, approx. 4 g a day•Ginger ale: 12 ounces is enough to prevent motion sickness and help nausea •Dried/Powder: 1 g (1/2 t) prevented vomiting, dizziness, and cold sweats•1.5 to 3 g/day of fresh rhizome•0.7 to 5 mL/day of a 1:5 tincture

Drug InteractionsAnticoagulant/antiplatelet medications (blood thinners)• Ginger also involved in slowing blood clot formation; when consumed

while on blood thinners, both have a synergistic affect; risk of bruising and bleeding increases

• Common blood thinners include: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Warfarin etcMedications for Diabetes treatment• Along with many diabetic medications, ginger also causes a drop in blood

sugar. Taking ginger with these medications can cause an unsafe decline in blood sugar

• Common diabetes medications: Amaryl, Insulin, Actos, Avandia, etcCalcium channel blocker medications for hypertension• These medications combined with ginger have a synergistic affect, can

cause risk of developing arrhythmias • Common medications: Procardia, Verapamil, Norvasc etc

Side EffectsGinger is generally safe for most people

•Some may experience mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea and mild gastrointestinal discomfort •Some women have reported heavier menstrual bleeding •Ginger is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, because there is not enough information known about the safety of ginger in regards to breast feeding mothers•Those with bleeding disorders or heart conditions should avoid consuming ginger

Conclusion•Ginger has been used for medicinal uses for thousands of years in a wide variety of treatments•More research is needed•Studies show small doses is effective for treating inflammation in the body, nausea and vomiting, blood sugar control and lowering blood pressure

ReferencesAl-Amin, Z. M, Thomson, M., Al-Qattan, K.K., Peltonen-Shalaby, R., Ali, M. (2006).

Anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. British Journal of Nutrition, 96, 660-666.

Ali, A., Gillani, A. H. (2007). Medicinal value of ginger with focus on its use in nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. International Journal of Food Properties, 10. 269-280.

Ali, B. H., Blunden, G., Tanira, M. O., Nemmar, A. (2008). Some phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological properties of ginger (zingiber officinale rosecoe): a review of recent

research. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46, 409-420.Chaiyakunapruk, N., Kitikannakorn, N., Nathisuwan, S., Leeprakobboon, K., Leelasettagool, C.

(2006). The efficacy of ginger for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Obsetrics and Gynecology, 194, 95-99. El-Abhar, H. S., Hammad, L. N.A., Abdel Gawad, H. S. (2008). Modulating effect of ginger extract

on rats with ulcerative colitis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118, 367-372.Foster. (2009). Historical use of ginger. Retrieved October 24, 2012 from

http://www.supercoolhealth.com/blog/supercool-gingerol-news/item/80-historical-use-of- ginger

References Cont’d Ghayur, M.N., Gilani, A.H. (2004). Ginger lowers blood pressure through

blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 45.

Ginger root nutrition facts. Retrieved from: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/ginger-root.htmlHerbs at a glance: ginger.(2006, May). Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/gingerMcIntyre, Anne. (2005). Herbal Treatment of Children: Western and Ayurvedic Perspectives, 134, 135.Mills, S., Bone, K., (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Ginger. 420-423.Smith, C., Crowther, C., Willson, K., Hotham, N., McVillian, V. (2004). A randomized controlled trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 103, 639-645. Van Breemen, R. B., Tao, Y., Li, W. (2011). Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in ginger (zingiber officinale). Fitoterapia, 82, 38-43.WebMD, (2009). Ginger. Retrieved October 24, 2012 from:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-961-GINGER.aspx?activeIngredientId=961&activeIngredientName=GINGERYogeshwar, S., Singh, M. (2006). Cancer preventative properties of ginger; a brief

review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 45, 683-690. International Journal of Food Properties, 10, 269-278.

Zhao, X., Yang, Z., Gai, G., Yang, Y., (2009). Effect of superfine grinding on properties of ginger powder. Journal of Food Engineering, 91, 217-222.